What’s Your Decorating Style?

Figure out a room’s theme before you start a major remodeling project

By Ayn-Monique Tetreault-Rooney Klahre

It’s time to figure out what you want from your new kitchen or bath. What’s your style? Classic, contemporary, country-cottage? What do you need? More space, new floors, better storage, family solutions? Read on for ideas.

Simply Done

Neutral tones and considered accents create an elegant, livable space in this kitchen designed by Mary Alyce Evans, who co-owned Kitchen Dimensions in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Shades of Gray: Look closely: The painted cabinetry is not black, but actually slate-gray, says Evans. And the white surfaces are actually a mottled gray, which lets the tones complement each other without too harsh a contrast.

On the Surface: In a narrow color scheme, texture becomes the vehicle for defining a space. Structured beadboard contrasts with smooth Carrara marble counters, while diamond-shaped tiles of the same marble, laid diagonally, add interest to the backsplash. Even the counter stools offer a bold counterpoint to the rest of the room.

Heavy Metals: Instead of being matchy-matchy, consider mixing your metals. Here, Evans used antique pewter knobs and brushed-nickel bin handles to set off the stainless appliances, then added a copper sink and accessories for some warmth. bone structure Architectural details—like the banister post on the kitchen island and the mantel-like treatment above the cooking niche—echo features throughout the rest of the house, making the remodel feel like it’s part of the original home. Photo: John Gruen

Casual Chic

Period elements, combined with clever incorporation of more modern features, make for a sunny kitchen with a homey country feel.

Home Cookin’: Since the kitchen is the hub of the household, the farm table is the natural centerpiece of the room. Topped with resilient marble, it invites family and guests to pull right up for a casual meal or to help with food prep. A serious stove—this one’s 48 inches wide with double ovens and high-BTU open burners—gets center stage to prove it’s a working kitchen.

Hiding Places: Don’t let utilitarian technology affect the feel of the room. Here, an appliance garage (at counter level, far right) hides the coffeemaker and toaster when not in use. To keep the look consistent, the dishwashers are faced to match the cabinetry.

Bottoms Up: This kitchen boasts its original pine plank floors, but you can get the look—without some of the risks of real wood—with laminate flooring. Look for wide planks with a handscraped look for an authentic feel.

A Fine Balance: The room’s chipper palette—butter-yellow walls and bright white cabinetry—is anchored by the black honed granite countertops. Similarly, the gleam of the polished nickel hardware is a nice contrast to rough-hewn flooring and antique furniture.Photo: Gridley & Graves

Instant Classic

Timeless colors and architectural details make a new bathroom by Kristin Powers, cofounder of Trikeenan Tileworks, seem like a well-preserved design.

Neutral Territory: Dusty gray-browns—colors with names like taupe, fawn or cocoa—are classic without seeming cold. Here, a narrow mix of tones among the walls, trim and tilework creates layers of color without veering from the basic scheme. “We wanted the bath to have a warmth and feel that was characteristic of an older home,” says the owner.

Made to Order: Furniture-inspired details, like feet on the vanity and molding along the built-ins, make the room look as well-considered as any other space in the house. The unique pattern on the floor actually incorporates two kinds of tiles and colors to mimic a basket-weave look. Extra-deep molding along the tub and wall, created with tiles, adds architectural interest and protects against water damage.

Antique Touch: Vintage-style fittings, like the faucets and lighting, have the patina of timeworn pieces. White ceramic details on the cabinetry hardware add a pop of contrast.Photo: Eric Roth

Geometry Lesson

Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living in San Francisco combined form and function for this modern workhorse of a bathroom.

Fine Lines: The room is dominated by strong horizontal elements, which gives the modest space a sense of expanse. Echoing it through lighting, cabinetry details and horizontal tiling creates a feeling of continuity, broken up just a bit by curves in the sconces and faucets. “It feels really light and open,” says Triggs.

Coordinated Attack: Sticking to the same materials—wood in the vanity and medicine cabinet, glass on the counter and shelves—keeps the tone consistent. Using shades of the same color (in this case, gray) throughout the surfaces keeps the space coordinated.

Smart Style: Double sinks allow family members ample space to get ready at the same time. This bathroom is extra-kid-friendly, with low-profile vessel sinks and a pullout platform for shorties. A mix of closed and open storage not only lets the homeowner choose what to display, but also keeps the basics easy to access and hides kid-inappropriate items like prescription bottles.Photo: Ken Gutmaker

Your information has been saved and an account has been created for you giving you full access to everything womansday.com and Hearst Digital Media Network have to offer. To change your username and/or password or complete your profile, click here.